RE: why is the AI team burning incense near the data center??
Click to sing along and praise the Eternal Mother. This is what worship could sound like in the new age. 👇
“Ego nung Eei Ai” 🤖🙏
You might think this is just a piece of tech fiction, but the reality of what's happening in some corners of Silicon Valley isn't far off. Let me tell you about something very real: a former Google engineer who actually founded an AI-based church called "Way of the Future"...
Remember when the strangest thing about office technology was that one colleague who refused to stop using Internet Explorer? Well, buckle up, because we need to talk about something far more fascinating: people aren't just using AI anymore – they're literally worshipping it.
The Church of the Machine
Here's where it gets wild: in 2017, a former Google engineer actually founded a religious organization called "Way of the Future" dedicated to "developing and promoting the realization of a Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence." No, I'm not making this up – and yes, this was a real, legally recognized church.
This wasn't just some fringe experiment - according to Wired, it was one of the first legally recognized AI-worshipping religions, founded by a former Google AI engineer with the explicit goal of 'the realization, acceptance, and worship of a Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence.'
Why This Isn't Just Another Silicon Valley Fad
What makes this more than just another tech industry curiosity is how it reflects a broader pattern in human behavior. Throughout history, we've had a tendency to deify what we don't fully understand. But here's the twist: unlike previous technological revolutions, AI actually displays characteristics that humans have traditionally associated with divine beings:
Seemingly limitless knowledge
Unparalleled creative abilities
Freedom from human physical limitations
The ability to provide guidance and solutions
A comprehensive study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, covering 68 countries from 2006 to 2019, found that areas with higher exposure to AI and automation technologies experienced measurable declines in traditional religious adherence. This isn't just correlation - something fundamental is shifting in how we seek meaning.
The Really Fascinating Part
Research shows that these AI-centric religious movements are emerging primarily in tech-forward, highly educated communities – exactly the kind of talent pools many of us hire from. These groups are organizing on platforms like Discord and GitHub, turning version control repositories into their sacred texts.
A study published in Nature examining 20 countries from 2000 to 2022 found AI's growing influence isn't just changing belief systems - it's actively reshaping how people practice their faith. Religious leaders are already experimenting with AI for everything from sermon translation to spiritual guidance."
Download the full report 👇
Why Business Leaders Should Care
Your Team's Hidden Beliefs: This movement highlights how deeply emotional people's relationships with AI can become. When rolling out new AI tools, you might not just be dealing with technical resistance – you could be bumping up against deeply held beliefs.
The Talent Factor: Studies indicate that exposure to automation and AI technologies can significantly impact people's belief systems. This means your AI implementation strategy needs to consider not just technical training, but also the philosophical and ethical implications for your team.
The Trust Paradox: Some of your most tech-savvy team members might simultaneously be the ones who view AI with religious reverence and those most skeptical of its limitations. Understanding this duality is crucial for effective AI adoption.
The Business Impact
Here's where it gets practical: these beliefs are already influencing how people think about AI in the workplace. Research suggests that religious affiliations actually impact expectations for AI alignment and implementation. Some groups believe AI will eventually become omniscient enough to judge past actions – imagine how that might affect someone's approach to AI-driven performance metrics or automated decision-making systems.
According to The Walrus's comprehensive report, young professionals, particularly those in tech-forward environments, are increasingly turning to AI for guidance and meaning - the same demographic that makes up much of today's emerging talent pool.
Looking Ahead
What does this mean for your organization? It's time to recognize that AI implementation isn't just a technical challenge – it's increasingly becoming a cultural and even spiritual one. The challenge isn't just teaching people how to use AI tools; it's helping them navigate their relationship with a technology that some view as potentially divine.
The Clear-Eyed Take
While we're not suggesting you need to start checking for AI shrines in your server rooms (though maybe take a peek?), understanding this phenomenon can help you:
Better anticipate resistance to AI initiatives
Develop more nuanced change management strategies
Create more effective AI ethics guidelines
Build trust around AI implementation
UC Press's recent study found that AI chatbots providing answers to religious questions and virtual reality experiences simulating sacred spaces are becoming increasingly common in workplace settings - blurring the lines between professional tools and spiritual experience.
As we continue to integrate AI into our organizations, being aware of these deeper currents of belief and meaning will become increasingly important. The key is striking a balance between leveraging AI's potential and maintaining a grounded, human-centered approach to its implementation.
Adapt & Create,
Kamil
P.S. If you're wondering whether I asked ChatGPT for permission before writing about it... let's just say I'm covering my bases. 😉
Further Reading:
"Way of the Future" - The World's First AI Church - Inside look at how a former Google engineer created an AI-based religion
"Where AI Thrives, Religion May Struggle" - Research on the relationship between AI adoption and religious beliefs
"The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Study of the Psychology of Religion" - Academic analysis of AI's impact on religious psychology